454 RACING SADDLERY. 



ADJUSTMENT OF RACING GEAR. 



The running martingale, for ordinary racing purposes, 

 should be of such a length that, when drawn straight up, 

 the rings will reach to about four or five inches above the 

 top of the withers. For steeplechasing, however high the 

 horse may hold his head, it should never be so short as to 

 make the pull of the reins to come below the withers. 



The saddle should be placed just clear of the animal's 

 shoulder blades and no more. For a training gallop it may 

 be placed a little farther back, so as to lessen the strain on the 

 fore legs, unless, indeed, the horse has a weak spot behind. 

 The surcingle alone should pass through the loop of the run- 

 ning martingale, and its buckle should come low down so as 

 not to press against the horse's side and hurt him. A pad, 

 about a foot broad, and eight inches long, with about four 

 inches down the centre unstuffed, will be useful with a light 

 racing saddle, to prevent the gullet plate from pressing on the 

 withers. If there be danger of this happening, and a pad be 

 not at hand, one may be easily made for the occasion, by 

 taking a flannel bandage, folding it in two, and then rolling 

 it up very loosely from both ends, till the two rolls are within 

 five or six inches of each other. This improvised pad may be 

 placed over the withers and underneath the pommel of the 

 saddle. The tapes of the bandage may be previously removed. 

 If a bandage be not at hand, a rubber may be folded and used 

 in the same manner. By this plan, the gullet plate will be kept 

 off the withers. Even when the gullet plate does not come 

 down too low, a thin woollen pad is generally used to protect 

 them, when a racing saddle is put on. A large sponge makes 

 a good pad. Two sponges, one at each side of the withers, 

 would act better than one placed (as is usually done when a 

 sponge is employed) on the top of the withers. 



